1. EWS Quota : Supreme Court Upholds 10% reservation For Economically Weaker Sections
Tags: National National News
In a significant judgement on November 7, the Supreme Court validated the 10 per cent quota in colleges and government jobs for the poor or EWS (economically weaker sections) introduced just before the 2019 general elections.
Important facts
By amending the constitution, the central government had made a provision of 10 percent reservation for the economically weaker sections of the general category.
The 103rd Constitutional Amendment providing for reservation was challenged in the Supreme Court.
A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the 103rd Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in admissions and government jobs.
Three judges (Justices Dinesh Maheshwari, Bela Trivedi, and JB Pardiwala) upheld the Constitution Amendment Act and two judges disagreed.
Justice S Ravindra Bhat disagreed, terming the law discriminatory and violation of basic structure.
Chief Justice U U Lalit also concurred with the view of Justice S Ravindra Bhat.
The petitioners had questioned several aspects of the EWS quota, including how it could exceed the national limit of 50 per cent on reservation set by the Supreme Court in 1992 and whether it changed the "basic structure" of the Constitution.
Observation of the court
Justice Trivedi ruled that the EWS quota law is not discriminatory.
Justice Maheshwari observed that the EWS quota law does not violate basic structure or equity, keeping in view the economic parameters.
It does not harm any essential facility by exceeding the 50 per cent limit for the quota as the limit itself is flexible.
103rd Constitution Amendment Act
In the year 2019, Article 15 and Article 16 of the Indian Constitution were amended through the 103rd Constitutional Amendment.
Through the amendment, Article 15 (6) and Article 16 (6) were inserted in the Constitution of India, so that the economically backward people (EWS) of the unreserved class could be provided the benefit of reservation.
The amendment empowered the state governments to provide reservation on the basis of economic backwardness.
2. G-7 Foreign ministers meet held in the historic town of Muenster , Germany
Tags: place in news Summits International News
The Group of 7 (G7) Foreign Minister’s meeting was held at the German town of Muenster on 4th and 5th November 2022. The historic Treaty of Westphalia was signed in 1648 in the city, which not only ended the 30 years’ war in Europe but also laid the foundation of the modern nation - state system.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, hosted the foreign ministers of, United States, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy and Canada. Germany is currently the President of the G-7 group.
Germany invited Ghana, Kenya and the African Union to join the G7 meeting for discussions on climate change, infrastructure, democracy and addressing conflict and humanitarian crises.
At the end of the meeting the foreign ministers agreed to provide aid to Ukraine so that it can deal with the harsh winter climate. Around 30% of Ukraine’s electricity grid has been destroyed due to the Russian Invasion of the country since 24 February 2022.
They also urged China to abstain from issuing “threats, coercion, intimidation, or the use of force," in the Taiwan straits. The United States considers China as a serious rival and wants the G7 countries to take a tough stand against China’s policy on Taiwan and its trade policy.
Interestingly the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was on a one day visit to China to meet the Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the day the G-7 foreign minister’s meeting started in Germany. He is the first G7 leader to visit China since the covid-19 pandemic.
G-7 or Group of Seven countries
The G7 (Group of Seven) is an organisation of the world's seven largest advanced economies, which dominate global trade and the international financial system.
- They are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Russia joined in 1998, creating the G8, but was excluded in 2014 for its annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine.
- It has no permanent secretariat.
- The 2021 summit meeting was held in England
- The 2022 summit meeting was held in Germany.
- The 2023 summit will be held in Japan .
3. Indian Army approves five Make-II projects to promote 'self-reliance'
Tags: National Defence National News
The Indian Army on November 4 has given approval for development of five Make-II Projects niche technology by Indian industry under the Make-II route of defence procurement.
What are Make-Category Projects?
The provision of 'Make' category of capital acquisition in the Defense Procurement Procedure (DPP) is an important pillar for realising the vision of 'Make in India' initiative.
It aims to promote indigenous capabilities through design and development of defence equipment/products/systems/sub-systems/components/parts required by both public and private sectors within a fast time frame.
Sub-categories of ‘Make’ Project
Make-I (Government Funded)
Make-I refers to the projects funded by the government.
This includes the development of big-ticket platforms such as light tanks and communication equipment with Indian security protocols.
Make-II (Industry Funded)
Industry-funded programs are covered under 'Make-II'.
The Make-II category includes the development of prototypes of military hardware or its up-gradation for import substitution, for which no government funding is provided.
The Army is already working on 43 projects under the Make II process of capital acquisition.
4. Union Minister Piyush Goel calls for deepening of economic ties with Kyrgyzstan
Tags: International News
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goel called for boosting bilateral trade and deepening cultural relations between India and Kyrgyzstan .He was speaking at the 10th Session of the India-Kyrgyz Republic Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (IKIGC).
The 10th session of IKIGC was held in a virtual format. It was co-Chaired by Piyush Goyal and Imanov Talantbek Oruskulovich, Minister of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Both sides discussed mutual cooperation and steps to further enhance them in the fields of Trade & Economy, Development Partnership, Investment, Digitalization, Intellectual Property, Agriculture, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Education, Environment, Standardization & Metrology, Banking, Transport, Labour, Mining and Power sectors. Emphasis was given to increase the bilateral trade and investment opportunities.he sides agreed to take necessary measures to increase the interaction of exporters and importers of the two countries and expand the trading basket.
India- Kyrgyzstan relations
Kyrgyzstan which was part of the Soviet Union declared its Independence on 31 August 1991 and India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations on 18 March 1992.
The India- Kyrgyz Republic Inter Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation was set up in 1992.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs the bilateral trade between India and Kyrgyz Republic in 2017-18 was about USD 59.53 million. India’s exports to Kyrgyzstan was USD 28.59 million and imports were at USD 30.94 million.
India and Kyrgyzstan conduct an annual military exercise’ Khanjar’,where the special forces of both the countries take part. The 9th Khanjar exercise 2022 was held at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh in March-April 2022 .
Kyrgyzstan
It is an Central Asian country
Capital : Bishkek
Currency :Kyrgyzstan som
President :Sadyr Japarov
5. Army Commanders’ Conference to take place from November 7 in New Delhi
Tags: National Defence Summits National News
The Army Commanders' Conference will be held in New Delhi from 7-11 November to deliberate on the current and emerging security and administrative aspects and to chart the future for the Indian Army.
Important facts
During the conference, the top leadership of the Indian Army will deliberate on current/emerging security and administrative aspects to chart the future for the Indian Army.
Other activities planned during the conference will also include talks by eminent subject matter experts on "Contemporary India-China Relations" as well as "Technical Challenges to National Security".
During the conference, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will address and interact with Army Commanders on 10 November 2022.
The Chief of Defense Staff and the Chiefs of the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force will also address the senior leadership of the Indian Army to promote tri-services synergy.
About Army Commanders’ Conference
It is an apex level biennial event which is an institutional forum for ideological level discussions and helps in taking important policy decisions for the Indian Army.
It is an apex level biennial event which is an institutional forum for ideological level discussions and helps in taking important policy decisions for the Indian Army.
It is also a formal forum for the senior leadership of the Indian Army to interact with senior officials from the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Defence.
6. Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali to be chief guest at 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention at Indore
Tags: Festivals National National News
Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be the chief guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention. It will be held from 8th to 10th January 2023 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Important facts
Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament of Australia, will be the guest of honour at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas which will be held on 8th January 2023.
Last year, the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conference was organised on 9 January despite the Covid pandemic. The convention was held in virtual format.
The theme of the 16th Convention 2021 was “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
The Young Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan was celebrated on January 8, 2021 with the theme "Bringing together Young Achievers from India and the Indian Diaspora".
17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention
The 17th PBD Convention is being organized from 08-10 January 2023 at Indore, Madhya Pradesh, in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
The 17th PBD Convention will be held in a physical format after a gap of four years.
The last PBD Convention in 2021 was held virtually during the Covid pandemic.
The theme of PBD Convention 2023 is "Diaspora: Reliable partners for India’s progress in Amrit Kaal”.
The PBD Convention 2023 will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 09 January 2023.
The Youth PBD will be held on 08 January 2023, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
On 10 January 2023, President Droupadi Murmu will confer Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and preside over the Valedictory Session.
Organiser of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with a state government and an Industry body, either Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) or Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) . It is normally organised on 9 January.
Significance of 9 January
On this day in 1915 the greatest pravasi of India , Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa in 1915 from South Africa to India .
His ship SS Arabia docked in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 9 January 1915.To honour and celebrate the occasion the government of India decided to start Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in 2003.
7. US and South Korea extends their air exercise in response to North Korea’s ICBM test
Tags: International News
In response to the launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic missile (ICBM) by North Korea on 3 November the United States and the South Korea have decided to extend their joint Air Force exercise Vigilant Storm by one more day.
The Vigilant Storm exercise began on 31 October 2022 was to officially end on 4 November 2022. The exercise involves approximately 240 aircraft between the two countries.
North Korea has denounced as “very dangerous” the decision by Washington and South Korea to extend their air drills. North Korea has long condemned joint military drills between the US and South Korea as a rehearsal for invasion and had warned of “powerful follow-up measures”.
North Korea Missile test
In apparent response to the joint Air Force exercise,North Korea on 3 November launched three ballistic missiles, including a suspected ICBM. The launch followed firing of at least 20 missiles, the most in a single day by North Korea on 2 November 2022, including one that landed off South Korea’s coast for the first time.
Conflict in Korean Peninsula
- The Korean peninsula has been under the control of Japan since 1910. After the defeat of Japan in the second world war it was occupied by the Soviet Union and United States .
- They divided the country for administrative purposes at the 38 parallel in 1945.
- The area under Soviet Union control was called North Korea and the area under the United States of America control was known as South Korea.
- Soon a civil war ensued between the communist North Korea and democratic South Korea.
- North Korea with the support of the Soviet Union and China invaded South Korea in 1950.
- The United Nations called for member countries to provide assistance to South Korea and the United States under the United Nations mandate ordered its army to support South Korea.
- The Chinese Army joined the war in 1950 to support the communist North Korean forces.
- On July 27, 1953, military commanders from the United States (representing the United Nations Command), the North Korean’s Korean People's Army, and Chinese People's Volunteer Army signed the Korean Armistice Agreement, ending roughly three years of fighting of the 1950-1953 Korean War.
- Since then the border area of North and South K0rea has been turned into a demilitarized zone but till date no peace agreement has been signed between the two. Technically both the countries are still at war.
- The United States has its troops in South Korea and is committed to defend South Korea from North Korea which wants to unify both the Koreans under its rule.
- North Korea is supported by China and Russia.
Two Korean countries at a glance
South Korea | North Korea | |
Official name of the country | Republic of Korea | Democratic People's Republic of Korea |
Capital | Seoul | Pyongyang |
President | Yoon Suk Yeol | Supreme Leader : Kim Jong Un |
Currency | South Korean Won | North Korean Won |
8. Adani New Industries instals India’s largest wind turbine
Tags: National National News
Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) on November 3, 2022 announced that it has installed a wind turbine taller than the world's tallest 'Statue of Unity' at Mundra, Gujarat.
Important facts
This turbine has been installed by Mundra Windtech Limited (MWL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL).
The 200 m long wind turbine has a power generation capacity of 5.2 MW and can provide electricity to about 4,000 homes.
It is taller than the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world at 182 metres.
It is the largest wind turbine in terms of power generation and has a rotor diameter of 160 metres.
The hub height of the wind turbine generator is 120 metres, which is equivalent to a 40-storey building.
About Mundra Windtech Limited (MWL)
It has been incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary company for manufacturing wind turbine generators.
It was incorporated on June 7, 2021.
- It is incorporated to do business as manufacturers of wind turbine generators and other subsidiaries.
9. Union Agriculture Minister chairs steering committee meeting of National Natural Farming Mission
Tags: National National News
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the first steering committee meeting of National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) on 3 November, 2022 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
Important facts
In the meeting, Tomar launched the NMNF portal.
The portal is developed by the agriculture ministry.
The portal contains all the information about the mission, implementation outline, resources, implementation progress, farmer registration, blog etc., which will be useful for the farmers.
This portal will help in promoting natural farming in the country.
Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh and Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja were present in the meeting.
On this occasion, Tomar said that with the cooperation of all, the mission of natural farming would be carried forward in the country.
Jal Shakti Minister Shekhawat said that his ministry has signed MoU with Sahakar Bharti and in the first phase 75 Sahakar Ganga villages have been identified and a roadmap has been prepared and farmers have been trained.
About Natural farming
Natural farming is a traditional indigenous farming method based on livestock.
It does not use any chemical fertilisers or pesticides or organic manures, vermicompost, biofertilizers, bio-pesticides.
This farming is done with the aim of reducing the cost of cultivation and thus provides benefits mostly to the small and marginal farmers.
Natural farming in India is being promoted under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in the form of Indian Natural Farming System Program (BPKP).
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana has received 4.2 times (as compared to the previous year) allocation of Rs 10,433 crore in the budget for the year 2022-23, which will earmark funds for on-the-ground implementation of chemical-free farming.
Sikkim is the first organic state in India.
10. CBDT unveils single ITR form for all taxpayers
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on 1 November has proposed a single income tax return (ITR) form for all taxpayers.
Important facts
All taxpayers, except trusts and non-profit organisations, can file returns with the proposed new common ITR form, on which the CBDT has invited stakeholder comments by 15 December.
Currently, taxpayers are required to furnish their income tax returns in ITR-1 to ITR-7, depending on the category.
What is Income Tax Return (ITR)?
ITR is a form which a person is supposed to submit to the Income Tax Department of India.
It contains information about the income of the individual during the year and the taxes to be paid on it.
Kinds of ITR forms
There are seven types of ITR forms, which are used by different categories of taxpayers.
ITR Form 1 - ALSO called ‘Sahaj’, is for small and medium taxpayers. Sahaj forms can be filed by individuals who have an income up to Rs 50 lakh, with earnings from salary, one house property/ other sources (interest etc).
ITR-2 - It is filed by people with income from residential property.
ITR-3 - It is intended for people who have income as profits from business/ profession.
ITR-4 (Sugam) - It is, like ITR-1 (Sahaj), a simple form, and can be filed by individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) and firms with total income up to Rs 50 lakh from businesses and professions.
ITR-5 and 6 - These are for limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and businesses respectively.
ITR-7 - It is filed by trusts and non-profit organisations.
The changes that has been proposed
As per the proposal, all taxpayers, except trusts and non-profit organisations (ITR-7), will use a single ITR form, which will include a separate head for disclosure of income from virtual digital assets.
The current ITR-1 and ITR-4 will continue.
The purpose of the draft form is to make return filing easier, and save the time of individuals and non-business-type taxpayers.
